Undefeated Wildcats Win Big Division Game
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Dez Campbell (89) brings down Calhoun City running back Xavian Pittman after Pittman cleared a path through defenders including Ezaryon Riley (55) for a first down in last Friday’s division game.
WATER VALLEY – The undefeated Calhoun City Wildcats rolled into Bobby Clark Field and clinched the Region 2-2A Championship with a 40 to 14 victory over the homestanding Blue Devils on Friday, October 20.
For much of the first quarter, the game remained deadlocked at zero as the teams kept trading punts. Late in the first quarter, Calhoun City hit paydirt with a 29-yard reception to their split end. The Blue Devils denied the two-point conversion attempt as the Wildcats led six to 0.
The Blue Devils marched past midfield only to be intercepted at the one-yard line to end the scoring threat. The Wildcats put together their most impressive drive of the night with an 11 play, 99-yard drive for another touchdown.
Again, the Blue Devils’ Defense denied the point after attempt. Unable to muster much in any phase of the game for the rest of the half, the number two ranked Wildcats took a 28 to 0 lead into the locker room at intermission.
Quarterback Tyler Richardson (13) tries to open a hole for Zae Bradford (15).
The Blue Devils would show heart and resilience in the later quarters, putting together 14 points led by senior running back Jaden Morgan’s 128 yards rushing on 18 attempts and junior wide receiver Dylan Moore’s three receptions for 37 yards. Touchdowns were scored by Morgan and sophomore Zae Bradford in the second half.
Sophomore place kicker Gabe Butler would add both point after touchdown attempts. Defensively, the Blue Devils were paced by junior Linebacker Reid Burress with 18 total tackles and one for loss and Morgan with 11 tackles, four for losses, and one sack.
“All this means is that we cannot win the region,” head coach Clint Faust told his players in the post-game huddle. “I don’t know about you, but I am going to coach extremely hard next week for us to beat Bruce and earn a home playoff game, so that our last memory of 2023 at home is not this game. Seniors, I do not want you to go out at home like that.”
A pivotal Region 2-2A Road Game will be held at Bruce on Thursday, October 26, at 7 p.m. The winner will be Region 2-2A Runner-Up and get to host the loser of the Sebastaopol versus Philadelphia game. However, the loser of the Water Valley at Bruce game will have to travel in the MHSAA First Round of the Class 2A Playoffs to the winner of the Sebastapol versus Philadelphia game.
